Man charged with child sex exploitation

Published: Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 12:27 PM.

A Shelby man faces nearly 20 charges of sexual exploitation of a minor after his involvement with Internet child porn sparked an FBI investigation, according to local law enforcement.

Michael John Stark, 65, of 608 Grace Street in Shelby, was charged with eight counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and eight counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, according to arrest warrants.

According to the warrants, Stark distributed and received photos of nude children, ages 7 to 13 years old, engaging in sexual activity.

According to the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office website, Stark was arrested last week and is being held in the Cleveland County Detention Center with a $500,000 bond.

Shelby Police Lt. Wray Hamrick said the department was asked by the FBI to assist in the case.

"We were assisting them with state charges," he said. "We were informed by an agent with the FBI that they had been tracking a suspect for quite some time."

Hamrick said the FBI agent provided local police with photos and evidence that led to the state charges.

A Shelby man faces nearly 20 charges of sexual exploitation of a minor after his involvement with Internet child porn sparked an FBI investigation, according to local law enforcement.

Michael John Stark, 65, of 608 Grace Street in Shelby, was charged with eight counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and eight counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, according to arrest warrants.

According to the warrants, Stark distributed and received photos of nude children, ages 7 to 13 years old, engaging in sexual activity.

According to the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office website, Stark was arrested last week and is being held in the Cleveland County Detention Center with a $500,000 bond.

Shelby Police Lt. Wray Hamrick said the department was asked by the FBI to assist in the case.

"We were assisting them with state charges," he said. "We were informed by an agent with the FBI that they had been tracking a suspect for quite some time."

Hamrick said the FBI agent provided local police with photos and evidence that led to the state charges.

He said Stark was viewing photos of children posted on a website.

According to the NC Department of Correction, Stark has no prior convictions.

Hamrick said he doesn't know the details of the FBI investigation but said the arrest could be part of a "bigger scheme."

"They tell us pretty much what they need to," he said.

Reach reporter Rebecca Clark at 704-669-3344 or rclark@shelbystar.com or follow on Twitter @TheStarRebecca.